Europe’s tallest skyscraper to rise in Switzerland

Thursday, March 26, 2015

A small alpine village in Vals, Switzerland, may soon be home to Europe’s tallest skyscraper.

California-based Morphosis Architects has released designs of a slim 1,250-foot-tall hotel skyscraper that will be part of the Vals resort, which currently houses an existing hotel and the renowned Therme Vals spa.

Plans for what is being named 7132 Tower include, 107 guest rooms and suites, spas, restaurants, a ballroom, a library, a sky bar and a gallery, among other amenities.

The building’s mirrored skin is expected to reflect the surrounding landscape upon its completion in 2019, while a one-room-per-floor set-up will offer panoramic views of the Alps.

“As much as possible, the hotel is a minimalist act that re-iterates the site and offers to the viewer a mirrored, refracted perspective of the landscape,” said Thom Mayne, Pritziker Prize-winner and Morphosis’ lead architect.

A park will also be added to the site. Japanese architect Tadao Ando has been designing Valser Path, slated for 2017.

Morphosis was chosen from eight firms after an international juried competition. Other buildings under the firm’s helm include the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas and the Hollywood campus of Emerson College.

Morphosis will collaborate with 7132 Ltd, which is currently managing the existing hotel.